Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: ‘There’s no light at the end of the tunnel’This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district.
The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.
Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.
Today, Flora spoke to someone on the helpline team.
Hundreds of families in the Harrogate district are losing their loved ones to dementia every day and now, more than ever, specialist support services are needed.
Today, Keith Townson tells us about swapping his working life in Qatar for a role on the Dementia Forward helpline.
“I was working as a mechanical engineer in Qatar.
“The maximum working age there is 60, so when I reached that, we moved back to Burton Leonard and I took on the role as chairman of the parish council.”
It was then that Keith spotted George Armitage House, Dementia Forward’s flagship hub in the village, and realised he wanted to give something back in his retirement.
He was offered a position as a volunteer bus driver in 2016 and spent five happy years transporting people across the county.
The minibus allows people to access vital care that they may not otherwise be able to access, and helps to combat loneliness those living with dementia may feel. It is also used to take people on day trips out and to social events, like going to the beach, to art galleries or even just to a café for a cup of tea.
Keith added:
“I loved driving the bus so much – it’s so lovely when clients are singing.
“What better thing can you do than help people?”
Two years ago, Keith was offered a position on the helpline.
“I actually originally suggested my son apply for the role – since he was out of work at the time – but after he was offered a job, Dementia Forward offered it to me.”
The helpline is the first point of contact for those with dementia-related enquiries.
The advisers help anyone in need — including family members, clients and medical practitioners — whether it’s providing emotional guidance to people losing their loved ones, or support on how to find dementia care.
It covers the whole of North Yorkshire and refers people to dementia experts in their local area or district.
Keith said:
“No two days are the same. You can receive some pretty horrible calls relating to very sad situations.
“But then there are some really lovely ones too — it’s a real mixture of emotions.
“The most common call is from a family member or loved one that has just received the devastating diagnosis and is looking for the next step.
“That’s what we’re here to give them.”
Dementia Forward’s flagship hub, George Armitage House
The helpline is one of many amazing services on offer for those living with this life changing disease, as well as their loved ones. Keith added:
“The helpline is a reason to get out of bed in the morning and come to work – it’s the best feeling I’ve had from a job.
“It can be heart-breaking though. No two people with dementia are the same, and I’ve learnt there’s no real light at the end of the tunnel…that it doesn’t get better.”
Dementia Forward helps hundreds of families across the Harrogate district every day. The charity eases the pain as much as it can – but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.
Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.
Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.
Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.
Thank you.
The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia in the UK. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.
Tinsel tractor run coming to Ripon and BoroughbridgeA tinsel tractor run is to be held around Ripon and Boroughbridge on December 2.
Up to 30 festively-decorated tractors will depart from garden centre F Tate & Sons on Studley Road, near Ripon, at about 2.30pm.
The brightly lit vehicles will then follow a 21-mile route that passes through Bishop Monkton, Roecliffe, Boroughbridge and Skelton-on-Ure before finishing in Ripon Market Place at about 5.30pm.
Simon Dickinson, who organises the Nidderdale Charity Tractor Run each year, decided to stage the event to raise money for Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Mr Dickinson, a window cleaner who grew up in Littlethorpe and now lives in Northallerton, said he wanted to raise money to help people affected by cancer and had been inspired by tinsel tractor runs held overseas.
He added he had been amazed by the response since the event was announced last night. Fifteen tractor drivers have already signed up.
Mr Dickinson, who is a member of West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club, added:
“I want to get it off the ground this year and then do it year after year.”
Tractor drivers pay £15 to enter and collections will be held at key points along the route.
The Nidderdale tractor run, which Mr Dickinson founded last year, attracted 55 vehicles and raised almost £2,000 this year. Next year’s event will be on June 30.
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Harrogate Grass Machinery to close after 24 yearsWell-known firm Harrogate Grass Machinery is to cease trading after 24 years of trading.
The South Stainley company, which services and sells lawnmowers and grass machinery, announced its closure on social media.
Owner Victoria Waite set up the business with her husband in 1999, and employed four staff, but told the Stray Ferret she now wanted to retire.
Ms Waite added:
“It’s very bittersweet.
“People have been saying ‘what am I going to do now?’”
The 58-year-old also said her husband’s death four years ago “played a big part” in deciding to close the business.
“It’s been emotional, but things need to keep moving forward — that’s what I tell myself.”
Harrogate Grass Machinery’s last day of trading will be on Wednesday, December 20.
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Ripon gets set for Saturday’s festive lights switch on
Ripon’s festive season gets into full swing on Saturday, with the switch on of the city’s Christmas lights, combined with an afternoon of family entertainment.
The illuminations will come on at 5pm and before then, Market Square will be a hive of activity from 1pm onwards with Santa and his reindeer, free fairground rides and live music between 3pm and 6pm.
The event is being organised by the city council, with support from Ripon Business Improvement District.
Festive lights on Fishergate are ready for Saturday evening’s city-wide switch on
Enhancements have been made to the city council’s decorative displays thanks to £4,000 of funding from the BID and the £7,000 raised through the Christmas Lights Appeal, run by Councillor Eamon Parkin during his three consecutive years in office as Mayor of Ripon between May 2019 and May 2022
The year-on-year improvements ensure that the city centre and adjoining streets will be lit with festive lights throughout the season.
For the second year running, the BID has paid for the production and distribution of 25,000 brochures, promoting Ripon as an attractive retail destination for both residents and visitors.
The brochure, which is being delivered to homes in the city and surrounding areas, highlights a strong mix of independent traders, while providing details about the events that will be happening in Ripon, between now and New Year’s Eve.
Main picture: Santa and his reindeer are due to arrive at 1pm
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Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Combating the isolation of dementiaThis year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district.
The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.
Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.
Today, Flora spoke to members of the Hub Club – one of the charity’s day services.
People living with dementia are slowly being robbed of their former lives and can often feel lonely and isolated.
It’s a disease that makes people feel misunderstood and invisible, but Dementia Forward works tirelessly to combat that. The charity’s Hub Club provides people with a safe place and good company – it makes those living with this life-changing illness feel seen.
“It’s a lovely atmosphere.
“I like seeing everybody and having a laugh.”
This is how one member, 91-year-old Mary, described the Hub Club.
After the minibus drops them off, the group start their day with a quiz, followed by coffee and cake.
The group are made to feel relaxed and comfortable and have so many activities to enjoy. Some do crosswords and puzzles, some enjoy drawing and music, and some even tackle 1000-piece jigsaws. People laugh and chat – they’re friends.
The days are tailored to the needs and interests of the members – staff even curate playlists of the members’ favourite songs.
Another member, David, spends his morning reading the paper accompanied by a playlist of his favourite 1950s songs – including Gracie Fields. He said:
“It’s just nice to get out of the house for a few hours and I’ve made friends here.”
It’s a place where people can feel heard and understood.
For three days a week, these people can temporarily escape from the disease they’re living with.
One carer told the Dementia Forward team:
“You understand better than most what we deal with.
“Being able to drop my wife off at the Hub Club this morning and sit here with my feet up, feeling confident that she is being properly looked after, is brilliant.”
But the reality is, the members of the Hub Club are fighting a losing battle with dementia. Dementia Forward eases the pain as much as it can – but can only do so with the help of charitable donations.
Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.
Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.
Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or a friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.
Thank you.
The NHS found that one in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are living with dementia. If you need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.
Commercial waste could be banned at council tips in North YorkshireNorth Yorkshire Council is considering whether to ban people depositing commercial waste at all of its household waste recycling centres.
It is one of a range of options being considered as part of cost-saving measures.
Other ideas include restricting the number of trips vans can make to the centres and banning people who don’t live in North Yorkshire from using them.
The options, which would affect sites at Penny Pot Lane and Wetherby Road in Harrogate, Dallamires Crescent in Ripon and mobile sites in Pateley Bridge and Boroughbridge, are due to go out to consultation.
The Penny Pot Lane tip.
A council decision notice last week announced plans to consult on changes, which it said would “avoid the need to reduce the service but do impact certain site users”.
The Stray Ferret asked the council why it was proposing changes, what the options were and the likely cost associated with them.
In a statement, it replied:
“To help make savings and improve the service they provide, North Yorkshire Council is looking at various changes at household waste recycling centres.
“This includes limiting the use of HWRCs to North Yorkshire residents only, limiting the access for commercial-like vehicles as well as changes to commercial waste.
“Around 15 per cent of visits are not made by North Yorkshire residents. Limiting the use to the county’s residents could generate savings of about £140,000 every year and would align with neighbouring authorities.
“The council is also proposing to limit access for commercial-like vehicles (including those in a van or pick-up). Figures show 93 per cent of visitors in a commercial-like vehicle make less than 12 visits per year. Limiting these vehicles to 12 visits could bring savings of about £370,000 and could reduce congestion at the sites.
“Before implementing these changes, people will be asked to share their views on the proposals, as well as whether they support commercial waste continuing to be accepted at HWRCs.”
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According to the council’s website, commercial waste is currently accepted at all of its centres except Wetherby Road in Harrogate.
Environment minister Rebecca Pow announced in June that households would no longer have to pay to get rid of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres.
DIY waste is now treated the same as household waste, saving tip visitors up to £10 per sack of rubble or sheet of plasterboard.
North Yorkshire Council said this would cost £889,000 and force it to look for new ways of saving money.
Last month, the Local Government Association, which is a membership body for councils, warned the change could mean tip closures and reduced hours in some council areas.
Ripon residents call for driving instructors to stop engine idlingResidents of a Ripon street that is a favourite destination for driving instructors have raised concerns about vehicle emissions affecting their health.
Marjorie Sanderson and Geoff Haldenby (pictured), who are neighbours on South Grange Road, took their plea for assistance to Ripon City Council and councillors agreed to take action, in a bid to stop drivers parking near their houses and those of other residents with car engines running.
Mr Haldenby, who suffers from the lung condition pleural plaques, told the Stray Ferret:
“In the three years that I have lived here, I’ve had five bouts of pneumonia and that made me think that there may be a correlation between my worsening health and exposure to exhaust fumes.”
He added:
“Having spoken with Marjorie and other neighbours who are also concerned about the impact that emissions have on health, we decided to seek support from the city council and we were very encouraged by the response that we received.”
At Monday’s full council meeting, Ms Sanderson, pointed out:
“We have instances of driving instructors teaching other instructors, who park up on the road for long periods with their engines running, either to keep their cars cool in summer or warm in winter.
“This is a regular occurrence and with engine idling an offence under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, we want to see the law enforced.”
After approaches were made to North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe and North Yorkshire Council, Ms Sanderson and Mr Haldenby, contacted the city council and both spoke at Monday’s meeting.
Council leader Andrew Williams, said he was aware that many driving instructors use South Grange Road and other neighbouring streets on their training routes.
It was unanimously agreed that he would raise the issue of engine idling with both North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police and request that enforcement action is taken when an offence is committed.
The Royal College of Physicians estimate that 40,000 deaths per year in the UK are linked to air pollution, and engine idling contributes to this, because vehicles give off higher emissions when stationary than when they are moving.
Police warning amid treacherous driving conditions after Storm DebiNorth Yorkshire Police have issued a warning after heavy rain has caused some flooding in areas of the Harrogate district and treacherous driving conditions.
Storm Debi caused strong winds and rain yesterday and overnight. A yellow weather warning was in place for much of the district.
Police were called to several incidents on the district’s roads, including flooding off York Road in Boroughbridge this morning and a car crashing into safety barriers on the A59 at Goldsborough at 11.12pm last night.
However, no serious injuries have been reported.
Meanwhile, this morning Dishforth Road and Sharow Lane near Ripon has been reported as flooded.
The force’s control room recorded almost 100 incidents between 8pm last night and midnight, and a further 100 between midnight and 8am today, many of which were weather-related.
Officers have urged drivers to take care on the district’s road amid unexpected flooding and obstructions as a result of heavy rain.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:
“It’s been a busy night with a high number of weather-related calls. We’ve worked hard to keep people safe and keep traffic moving as best we can.
“Storm Debi has passed, but she’s left flooded roads, felled trees and other dangerous debris in her wake.
“So if you’re travelling by road today, be on your guard for unexpected flooding or obstructions, and please allow that little bit of extra time to arrive safely.”
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Decision day approaches for £630,000 Ripon city centre resurfacing schemeRipon will discover later this week if a £630,000 road resurfacing scheme will be included in North Yorkshire Council’s capital funding programme for delivery next year.
City councillors have been calling for many years for the sets of paving blocks on Market Place East and Market Place West, which have become damaged and uneven, to be removed and replaced with a tarmac surface.
At last night’s full city council meeting, leader Andrew Williams, told members:
“The North Yorkshire highways team is preparing designs in anticipation of allocated funds to resurface areas of the road network surrounding Market Square.
“It is being considered for funding as part of the wider capital funding programme and if approved will see a scheme delivered next October.”
Tarmac patches have been put in place on some of the worst affected areas of the city centre roads.
Cllr Williams, who represents the Minster and Moorside division on North Yorkshire Council and is a member of the the Conservative and Independent Group, added:
“I’ve been in regular communication with the highways team about the proposed scheme and the process is going to take a little longer than hoped for and will cost more than initially anticipated.
“This is due to the fact that site investigations carried out by highways engineers, showed that the sub core under Market Place East is sand and every time it rains the road surface moves.”
The need to put new foundations in place before the new tarmac surface can be laid has seen the projected cost for the scheme rise from £500,000 to £630.000.
North Yorkshire Council has confirmed that in preparation for the proposed scheme, necessary site investigations have already started and will commence further later this month.
This will involve road closures on separate days of Market Place East and Market Place West and a traffic management plan associated with the works will be communicated to the local stakeholders and the public, once dates are finalised with the contractors.
Both Market Place East (main picture) and Market Place West will be resurfaced next autumn if the scheme receives the go-ahead.
Thousands gather to mark Ripon’s Remembrance SundayAn estimated 3,000 people gathered at the War Memorial in Spa Gardens and along Ripon’s ancient streets and Market Place, as the city paid its respects this morning to the fallen of two world wars and other conflicts
Wreaths were laid as Andrew Cowie, president of the Ripon Branch of the Royal British Legion (pictured below, left), read out almost 400 local names from Akers to Young, who gave their lives in the service of this country.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Richard Compton, representing King Charles III and Mayor Councillor Sid Hawke representing the city, were among the first to put wreaths in place.
Later, they took the salute outside the town hall (pictured above) as Ripon City Band led the march past along Market Place South and down Kirkgate to the cathedral, where a civic service of remembrance, attended by members of the city council and other dignitaries, was held.
The service was led by the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd. Anna Eltringham, who had earlier been with the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson and Canon Matthew Pollard, for the Remembrance Sunday prayers and hymns in Spa Gardens.
Ripon’s Royal Engineers (pictured above) who have had the Freedom of the City since 1949, were among the service personnel, Air Cadets, Army Cadets and members of uniformed organisations who took part in the parade.
Main picture: The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, laid a wreath on behalf of the city at this morning’s Remembrance Service at Ripon War Memorial.
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